New Program Gives NYC Motorists Option to Find, Pay for Parking Over Smartphone

Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan on Tuesday announced the launch of Park Smart, two pilot programs that intend to make the hassle of parking in New York City a whole lot easier.

Park Smart gives motorists the option to pay for a parking meter remotely and also view real-time curbside parking availability via a smartphone app, the Internet or by telephone.

Initially, both programs will launch within the Belmont Business Improvement District in the Bronx and for no additional fee, but the city hopes to expand into other areas after testing the pilot.

“These new initiatives are just the latest examples of our work to bring parking and driving in New York City into the 21st century," said Bloomberg.

The real-time map shows a color-coded display indicating the likelihood of finding parking on each block within the pilot area, which drivers can use to minimize the amount of time spent circling blocks and looking for an open spot. It also will warn motorists when their time is about to expire via e-mail or text messages and allows them to pay for additional time up to the posted time limit.

Motorists can sign up for Park Smart on the PayByPhone website and then download the PayByPhone app.

“Parking is easier and more convenient when you know where to look for a space, and when you can pay with a click instead of fumbling for change,” said  Sadik-Khan. “Innovative technologies like these can help make one of the basic facts of city life a little easier while making our streets and commercial districts even more accessible.”

...Now if only the technology could actually hold the space between the time a motorist locates an open spot and arrives at the location.